“If you God, kept records of wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that’s why you’re worshipped.” Psalm 130:3-4 The Message

God has a three-way habit:Forgiveness. The Father .. The Son .. and The Holy Spirit are forgivers. It’s their habit. They’ve crafted it over thousands of years. Actually .. It’s just who God is. And for that .. you walk along in your life and learn just how deep His forgiveness goes in you .. how far His forgiveness reaches into your memories .. how high His forgiveness lifts you from darkness .. and how wide His forgiveness stretches with generous grace. God is a full-price-buying-you-back God. When you were at your lowest Jesus paid His highest. And even now when you walk in and out of low moments … His Spirit whispers: ‘You’re forgiven .. You are loved .. You can stand on it .. You can live out of it’. God doesn’t keep records of all that junk that’s cluttered up your life. In fact .. He steps right in the middle of your messes and begins cleaning you up from the inside out. And for that .. you discover the gift of worship: hands raised .. arms wide .. kneeling .. sitting .. standing .. dancing .. lips moving .. singing .. and utter silence. When Jesus lives in you .. memories are healed .. restored in the true knowledge that God is good .. the gospel is real .. and that Christ is in you. It’s because God forgives that He assures and reassures you that Christ has taken the heavy-weights of your sin and you don’t have to carry or wear them anymore. His love is light and His grace is lining all those walls of your once damaged heart and scarred mind. And for that .. you worship the One who has a ‘firm grip on you’ and is ‘not letting go’! You’re free to live out of the indwelling habit of the Forgiving One. It only takes a moment …

“When you go out looking for your old adversaries you won’t find them — Not a trace of your old enemies, not even a memory. That’s right. Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, “Don’t panic. I’m right here to help you. … I, God, want to reassure you. The God who buys you back, The Holy of Israel.” Isaiah 41:12-13,15 The Message

Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent to Habit-forming followers of Jesus (kchesterp1@gmail.com)

Advertisements

Like this:

LikeLoading...

Related

About Ken Chester

I love seeing Christ become alive and real in someone's life. It is amazing what happens when Jesus moves in and starts to renovate a life. When I'm not riding my road bike, I am usually walking our corgi named Trinity (she came that way) and corgi-lab named Lowrider. Carolyn and I are transforming our backyard. And a book is on the way. ...Stay tuned ... Ken